Dolce & Gabbana

IS the <a href="#" onclick="window.open('/vogue_daily/popup.asp?keyword=dolce gabbana','search', 'toolbar=0,status=no,menuBar=0,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,width=250,height=450,left=10,top=100')" class="maintextimageu"> Dolce & Gabbana man preparing to get his hands dirty? In contrast to its usual edgy, high-tech machinations, there was a decidedly homespun feel to the house's bulky-sihouetted collection for autumn/winter 2008-9. Natural fabrics prevailed: see shearling coats edged with a lavish abundance of lambswool, rugged high-necked wool jumpers that looked like they could've been knitted by hand in front of a roaring log fire, fine cashmere scarves and loose-cut, patched-together leather trousers topped off with flat caps and fingerless gloves. A Sicilian village was the inspiration for the collection, according to Stefano Gabbana - and while the velour suits, skinny-tie-and-print-shirt combos and oversized leather holdalls might not be much use for working the land, they were the perfect reminder that in the world of D&G, even the most rustic and simple of occasions is an excuse to indulge in a little out-and-out luxury. (January 12 2008, PM)